MotoGP returns to the United States for round of the 2026 season at the iconic Circuit of the Americas, with racing taking place from March 27 to 29.
As the championship begins to take shape, the Austin round is expected to play a key role, offering a mix of technical challenges and overtaking opportunities on one of the calendar’s most demanding circuits.
Simple Weekend Schedule (Local Time – Austin)
Friday (March 27) – Practice Day
- Moto3, Moto2, MotoGP practice sessions
- Important for setting early pace and securing direct entry to qualifying
Friday is all about preparation. Riders focus on bike setup, race pace, and securing a strong position for Saturday’s qualifying sessions.
Saturday (March 28) – Qualifying + Sprint
- MotoGP Qualifying 1 and 2
- Moto3 & Moto2 qualifying
- MotoGP Sprint Race – 3:00 PM
Saturday is one of the most intense days of the weekend. Qualifying determines the grid, while the sprint race offers crucial points and often sets the tone for Sunday.
Sunday (March 29) – Race Day
- MotoGP Warm Up – 10:40 AM
- Moto3 Race – 12:00 PM
- Moto2 Race – 1:15 PM
- MotoGP Grand Prix – 3:00 PM
Sunday delivers the main event, with the MotoGP race as the headline attraction. The earlier races often provide strong clues about track conditions and tyre performance.
What This Schedule Means
The structure follows the now standard MotoGP weekend format, but each day serves a different purpose:
- Friday builds the foundation with critical setup work and lap time improvements
- Saturday decides starting positions and early points through qualifying and the sprint
- Sunday is where the main championship battle unfolds, with full race distance and maximum points on offer
The sprint race has added extra importance to Saturday, rewarding riders who can perform under pressure across both short and long race formats.
Why Austin Matters
Austin remains one of the most technical circuits on the calendar, combining long straights with tight, flowing sections. It often rewards aggressive riding styles and late braking, making it a fan favourite and a key battleground in the early championship fight.
With momentum building after the opening rounds, the United States Grand Prix could provide a clearer picture of who the true title contenders are heading into the European leg of the season.
